History of Berks County - Exeter Township
The following is reproduced from the 1876 Atlas of Berks County, Pennsylvania
Exeter township was settled at a very early period, before 1720, and in fifteen or twenty years had over three hundred inhabitants. In 1841 there seventy-six taxables, which number greatly increased after the erection of Berks county.
The length is about four miles and a half, and the breadth the same. The surface is undulating, except in the north-western part, which is hilly. The soil is not naturally very fertile, but it has been rendered productive in many places by the toil and care of the farmer. In this respect it has been vastly improved within the past few years. The boundary of the township on the west is strongly marked by the Neversink Mountain and other prominent hills.
The roads of Exeter are in fine condition.
The Philadelphia turnpike passes through the township. The Philadelphia & Reading Railroad has a station called Exeter, within the limits of the township. The principal villages are Stonersville in the northwest., Baumstown and Suckertown.
Exeter is well supplied with water-power. Two creeks as they cross the territory afford a sufficient volume of water to turn the wheels of mills of various kinds, such as grist, saw, fulling and oil mills, besides a forge. Iron mining is carried on to some extent.
Exeter is bounded on the north-east by Oley ; on the east by Amity ; on the south by the Schuylkill river; on the north-west by Alsace.
The population has nearly doubled since 1810. Then there were only 1,194 inhabitants, whereas there were 2,239 in 1870.